F.A.L.A. September 2008 Newsletter

Our Summer Visual Chart
This summer was very successful and a lot of work. I designed and put together a Visual Chart and Reward System for both of our twin boys.

I structured our Visual Chart based on the time of day coupled with self-enrichment, household chores, education, and free-time. Our goal was to limit both boy’s “Free Time” and help them become more well-rounded and find a healthy balance.

The Chart included the following:

6:00-Shower, clean ears, comb hair, pick out clothes, and get dressed.
7:00-Fix breakfast, eat, clean-up, and take Vitamins.
8:00-Brush teeth, gargle, make bed, laundry, take out trash.
9:00-Take dog for walk to park.
10:00-Free Time
11:00-Fix lunch, clean-up.
12:00-Reading, Math, Writing, and Art.
3:30-Free Time
5:00-Make dinner, eat, and clean-up.
6:00-Relax
7:00-Bath, fold laundry
8:00-Brush teeth, gargle, and go to bed.

On each side of the schedule were areas for each of the boys to feature their visual reward(s) as far as what they were earning (i.e.) Lego’s, Ant Farm, and Wii Card.

Directly below their visual item(s) that they were earning was a open space to place their stickers. Every time they completed a task, they placed a sticker on their side of their board area.

We also added a list of “Extra Credit Behavior Goals” in order to help them both be successful.

These were Alex’s goals:

• Alex will use an “Indoor Voice.”
• Alex will remain calm when frustrated.
• Alex will complete tasks without being asked.
• Alex will ask for a break or time-out when needed.
• Alex will count to 10 and take deep breathes when needed.
  

All-in-all the program was a huge success. Both boys reached their summer goals and were rewarded by doing so. I shared this chart with other moms and they loved the concept.

Thanks to some creativity and a lot of hard work, our Summer Visual Chart helped my twin boys experience a well-rounded and extremely rewarding summer.

Our Family Vacation was a Huge Success!
Last Easter, we made a point of limiting my autistic son’s exposure to electronic games while on family vacation and it was the best decision that we have ever made.

Alex was very willing and excited to be involved in what we were all doing for the first time. We played tennis, swam, went to Knox Berry Farm, and worked out in the Hotel Gym. We had a blast!

In the past, we would load up Alex’s backpack with his Gameboy, DS, and games. Alex would spend most of his time playing his games indoors and when asked to swim or participate in family fun, he would have horrible tantrums.

Last August, we spent ten days at our Summer Beach House. Again, we voted as a family to bring only one game which was “Rock Band.” I boxed up the drums and guitar along with the PlayStation and placed it in our guest room when we got to the beach.

Once again, Alex was very engaged in what the entire family was doing. We played Chess several times, Card Games, Boogie Boarded, dug a big hole in the sand, and played Frisbee and Horseshoes. We also enjoyed watching the Olympics at night together as a family.

Limit your child’s exposure to electronics while on vacation and reap the benefits of enjoying quality time spent together as a family!

It’s Back to School Time!
It is Back-to-School time and my goal this year is to make sure that every Special Need’s Classroom is not overlooked and has an Art Docent, Music Mentor, and PE Mentor.

I started my quest by meeting with both of my twin’s School Principals and discussed the importance of inclusion of all Special Needs Children when addressing all Campus Programs and Events.

In the past, the Special Need’s children have been excluded from Campus Assemblies, Art Docent Showcases, Campus Badge Systems, Campus Yearbooks, Campus Music Programs, and most likely countless programs that I am not personally aware of?

A couple of years ago, I designed a School Badge System but the Principal and Assistant Principal failed to acknowledge the program and did not follow through. So, this year I requested that it be put in place.

This will be my sixth-year as an Art Docent to my twin’s Classmates and the second year at two different Schools. In addition, I have volunteered to be a Art Docent for another Special Ed Classroom.

I am also meeting with Placer County Arts & Cultural Director, Angela Tahti in order to ask local artists to volunteer to work with Special Need’s Children throughout Placer County.

Advocate for Special Education and make a difference in our children’s lives!